CVE-2023-51133 in X2000R Gh
Summary
by MITRE • 12/30/2023
TOTOLINK X2000R Gh v1.0.0-B20230221.0948.web was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the function formRoute.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-51133 affects the TOTOLINK X2000R Gh router model running firmware version v1.0.0-B20230221.0948. This issue manifests as a stack overflow condition within the web interface administration functionality, specifically within the formRoute function. The stack overflow represents a critical memory corruption vulnerability that can potentially be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected device. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and buffer management within the router's web server component that handles configuration requests. When malicious input is processed through the formRoute function, it overflows the allocated stack buffer, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control registers.
The technical flaw resides in the improper handling of user-supplied data within the web application layer of the router firmware. The formRoute function fails to implement proper bounds checking on input parameters, particularly those related to routing configuration parameters. This allows an attacker to craft specially formatted requests that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing the stack to overflow and potentially redirecting program execution flow. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software development practices where insufficient boundary checking permits buffer overflows to occur. The stack overflow condition creates a predictable memory layout that can be manipulated to achieve arbitrary code execution, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for networked devices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides potential remote code execution capabilities to attackers who can access the router's web administration interface. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to gain full administrative control over the device, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, install malicious firmware, redirect traffic, or use the compromised router as a pivot point for further attacks within the local network. The vulnerability affects the router's web interface authentication mechanism, meaning that even if authentication is required, the stack overflow could be triggered during the authentication process or subsequent administrative operations. This makes the device susceptible to exploitation without requiring prior authentication, as the vulnerability exists at the input processing level rather than being dependent on valid session tokens.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-51133 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from TOTOLINK, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific stack overflow condition. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, restrict access to the router's web interface to trusted IP addresses only, and monitor for unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious input patterns targeting the vulnerable formRoute function. Additionally, regular security audits of network infrastructure should include verification of firmware versions and patch status for all network devices, particularly those with web interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns consistent with exploitation attempts, such as unusual request sizes or malformed data patterns that could indicate buffer overflow exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in embedded systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing as the exploitation often occurs through web-based attack vectors that leverage the router's administrative interface.